Packing for a Disney vacation can be exciting, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook some key items. Forgetting even one of these Disney essentials could make your trip less magical, whether it’s dealing with the Florida heat, sudden rain showers, or long days on your feet. To help you prepare for the ultimate Disney trip, we’ve compiled a list of 14 often-forgotten must-haves that will keep you comfortable, organized, and ready for anything the parks throw your way.

Small Bag or Backpack

When you’re spending an entire day in the theme parks, you need to bring a lot along with you. That’s why finding the right bag or backpack is so important! While most people remember to bring a bag with them for the parks, it’s easy to forget to take into account what exactly you need to fit in the bag and end up bringing one that is too big or too small.

Fanny packs and crossbody bags work well for individuals or couples, giving you just enough room to fit your wallet, phone, and any other small items you want to bring along. However,  families will likely need a small backpack or diaper bag with multiple compartments to organize all the things you need for kids and yourself.

Loungefly bags are popular choices for all Disney-goers because come in Disney styles and are perfectly sized to fit your park day essentials like a light jacket, umbrella, wallet, and phone. However, there are plenty of other bags that do the trick! Just keep in mind that Disney requires that bags be no larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high.

Portable Chargers

It’s impossible to do Disney World without a phone nowadays, and you’ll need to use it a lot. Between taking photos, managing your Lightning Lane reservations, dining reservations, mobile ordering food, checking wait times, and more in the My Disney Experience app, your phone battery can run out a lot faster than normal. And, if you don’t have your phone…well…it’s a lot more difficult to have a successful day in the parks.

To keep your phone powered throughout the day, be sure to pack a portable charger with you that’s easy to use, holds a lot of extra battery power, and doesn’t weigh you down. If you’re looking for something that you don’t have to worry about charging every night, consider purchasing FuelRods from Amazon prior to your trip. Disney has stations throughout the parks and resorts where you can change out your used FuelRods for fully charged ones for free. Or, you can opt for a heftier charger – just remember to bring a charging cord for that as well to plug it in overnight!

Things To Do In Line

Regardless of when you go to Disney World, lines for rides are inevitable. That’s why having something to do is key, especially if you’re visiting during a busy time of the year or are visiting for 5+ days. Bring along some small portable games that are easy to play while standing in line or download some games on your phone that you can play as a group. Disney also has a Play Disney Parks mobile app that features interactive games and more based on where you are in the parks.

Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is one of the keys to a successful day at Disney World and it can be expensive and inconvenient to rely on purchasing water bottles at snack stands and quick service restaurants. A reusable water bottle is one of the most overlooked Disney essentials, but it just might be the most important!

We recommend packing a water bottle that is insulated to keep your drinks cold, leak-proof, easy to carry, and has a straw (especially if you’re traveling with little ones).

Disney World offers water bottle refill stations throughout the parks and resorts, making it easy to stay hydrated without having to pay extra. You can easily locate these using the My Disney Experience app by searching for “water bottle refill stations” and tapping “Find on Map.” Plus, most quick service restaurants will give you a free cup of ice water if you ask.

Electrolytes

Sometimes sticking to only water just doesn’t cut it in the Central Florida heat! So, not only should you pack a reusable water bottle, but you should also bring along some on-the-go electrolyte packets that you can carry with you to add to water when you need an extra boost.

Some popular and effective brands include Gatorade powder packets, Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, LMNT electrolyte drink mix, and Nuun hydration tablets. Of course, there are plenty of other brands offering electrolyte drink mixes, so choose your favorite and be sure to pack extra!

These products come in various flavors and are easy to carry in your park bag. Simply add them to your water bottle for a refreshing and hydrating boost.

Hand Sanitizer and Wipes

With thousands of people visiting Disney World every day, the parks are…well…gross. Having hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes on hand can help ensure that you have a healthy trip to “the most magical place on earth.” No one wants to end up sick two days into their trip!

Cooling Fan or Towel

While Disney sells cooling fans and towels for when you’re in a pinch and baking in the Florida sun, packing your own can save you a lot of money and hassle. Cooling towels are a great option if you want something that you can freshen up with cold water. On the other hand, fans offer continuous airflow that can help you feel cooler for longer. Both are great options so pick which one works best for you or opt for both! Just remember to bring any charging cords for portable fans or a bag to store your wet towel.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an absolute must-have for your Disney trip but it’s one of the easiest things to forget. Florida’s intense sun can quickly lead to painful burns if you’re not prepared. So, we recommend packing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for optimal protection. And, don’t just pack this in your suitcase and keep it in your hotel room! Be sure that you bring sunscreen in your park bag so that you can reapply throughout the day.

Poncho/Umbrella

A lot of people assume that Florida is always sunny, and while that’s often true, sudden rain showers and inclement weather are common. If you’re not prepared, the weather can really put a damper on your day, and that’s why ponchos and umbrellas are Disney essentials – even if there’s no rain in the forecast!

A poncho offers the most protection for your clothing if you’re caught in the rain, while an umbrella can keep the rain out of your eyes and bags. Some people prefer one over the other, but we like to pack both just in case. This gives you more options to choose from depending on how much it is raining and allows you to stay even drier if the rain is particularly heavy.

Medication

It’s usually pretty easy to remember to pack any daily medication that you take regularly, but we also recommend that you bring along over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen), antacids for stomach aches, motion sickness pills, and bandages and antibiotic ointment. These medications are often overlooked but come in handy if you end up with a headache, body soreness from all the walking, or cuts and blisters.

You can purchase these in Disney World in a pinch, however, they are much more expensive and can be hard to find. So, throw these in your toiletries bag to have just in case!

Extra Socks

Packing extra socks for your Disney trip is a smart move and one that you might not think of. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and fresh socks can make a big difference in comfort, especially if you sweat a lot or find yourself stuck outside in a storm. We recommend that you bring at least one extra pair per day and opt for socks that are moisture-wicking and comfortable.

Anti-Chafe Gear

Comfort is key when you’re logging 10,000+ steps a day through all four theme parks! Long days of walking in the heat can cause you to chafe in unexpected areas, even if you’ve never had this problem before. That’s why an anti-chafe stick is one of the biggest Disney essentials no one thinks about! Body Glide and Megababe Thigh Rescue are popular choices among Disney-goers to create a protective barrier on your skin that reduces friction and irritation.

Plus, if you’re planning to wear a skirt or dress, we recommend packing biker shorts to wear underneath. These provide an extra layer of protection against chafing and keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Flip Flops

You probably already know to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes, but it’s easy to forget that flip-flops need to be in your vacation bag too! If you’re staying at a resort and plan to spend time at the pool, you’ll definitely need them. Plus, they’re also helpful to have to throw on if you need to walk to the vending machine or grab a quick snack at your hotel.

We also like to pack flip-flops in our park day bag when there’s rain in the forecast to change into them and keep our walking shoes dry.

Extension Cord

Between everyone’s phones, portable phone chargers, portable fans, MagicBands, and anything else you need to plug in at your hotel, it’s likely that you’ll come up a few plugs short when it’s time to recharge everything. And, even if there are enough outlets in your hotel room, they aren’t always located conveniently around the room. That’s why a flat power strip with multiple AC outlets and USB ports is one of our Disney essentials. This allows you to charge phones, tablets, cameras, and other electronics from a single wall outlet and position it exactly where you need it to be.

Just remember to unplug the strip when not in use and avoid overloading it with too many high-powered devices simultaneously. With this simple addition to your packing list, you’ll have one less thing to worry about during your vacation.

Comments

What Disney essentials have you forgotten to pack before? Let us know your must-haves in the comments!